By Akeem Abas

Stakeholders have applauded innovations in cocoa, cashew, and other crops, urging policy support, local processing and sustainable practices to drive inclusive national economic development and improve agricultural productivity.

They spoke during the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) 2025 In-House Research Review, held at the institution’s conference hall in Ibadan.

The event, themed “Advances in Varietal Development of Cocoa, Cashew, Coffee, Kola and Tea for Sustainable Economic Growth”, highlights CRIN’s commitment to enhancing crop varieties and agro-economic development.

Chief Adeola Adegoke, National President, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), commended CRIN’s varietal innovations and described cocoa as central to Nigeria’s agricultural and economic legacy.

He applauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the National Cocoa Management Board, which he had consistently advocated since 2021.

Adegoke, who is also the Global President, Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA), urged the board to prioritise CRIN’s funding in the area of research and staff welfare.

He warned against the EU Deforestation-linked Regulations and global cocoa value inequality, stressing the need for local processing, youth inclusion, and climate-smart innovations across Nigeria’s cocoa value chain.

Adegoke invited stakeholders to the upcoming African Cocoa Summit in Ghana, saying the event would unify African voices, oppose synthetic cocoa development and promote global cocoa equity and sustainability.

Mr Daniel Gemana, Managing Director, Vertex Agro Limited, said Nigeria produces about 350,000 metric tons of cashew annually, ranking second in West Africa, but with only 18 per cent processed locally.

Gemana lamented that over 60 per cent of processing factories shut down during the 2025 season due to operational and economic challenges.

He blamed the situation on foreign exchange volatility and lack of a national cashew policy, describing cashew processing as high-risk but with untapped high-margin potential.

Prof. Sunday Bako, Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, described the event as a demonstration of CRIN’s commitment to research excellence and agricultural development in Nigeria.

Bako pledged the university’s readiness to collaborate with CRIN on joint research, student engagement and capacity building for national food and economic security.

Mrs Blessing Nanman, CEO of Lingzhi Global, urged Nigerians to establish value-added businesses like coffee shops and chocolate companies that support local farmers and create sustainable jobs.

According to her, rebuilding Nigeria’s economy is a shared responsibility, thus calling on citizens to create value from local products such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and cashew.

Dr Patrick Ademola, Executive Director of CRIN, said the in-house review was necessary because research must not occur in isolation but in collaboration with stakeholders and end users.

He said that the event encourages interaction with farmers and promotes value addition to research outputs, ultimately enhancing relevance and real-world agricultural impact.

Ademola decried foreign efforts to introduce synthetic cocoa and chocolate, insisting such products would not appeal to consumers and would be unsustainable due to high production costs.

Dismissing plans by Latin Americans to cultivate large cocoa plantations, he argued that labour availability and conditions had given Africa a distinct production advantage.

The event attracted participants, including representatives of state governments, heads of parastatals, researchers, farmers, agribusiness leaders and other key stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Moses Solanke